Fri Dec 06 13:23:30 UTC 2024: ## 28 Years After Babri Masjid Demolition: A Look Back at the Case and Its Aftermath
**Ayodhya, India** – Twenty-eight years after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the case continues to be a subject of intense debate and scrutiny. On December 6, 1992, a massive crowd of kar sevaks (religious volunteers), estimated at 4-6 lakh, razed the disputed structure in Ayodhya. This act of demolition resulted in widespread communal violence and left a lasting scar on the nation’s history.
The events leading up to the demolition are recounted by several sources, including veteran journalist Narendra Kumar Srivastava, who described the increasingly aggressive behavior of the kar sevaks in the days prior. Journalists faced hostility, and several were even assaulted. The presence of prominent BJP and VHP leaders, including L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, and Sadhvi Ritambhara, at a meeting near the site only fueled speculation about the orchestration of the event.
While the demolition unfolded rapidly—within approximately 15 minutes—witnesses reported a sudden escalation of tensions around noon, culminating in the complete destruction of the structure by 5 PM. Despite assurances from the Uttar Pradesh government and BJP leader Vijaya Raje Scindia to protect the structure, it was ultimately demolished.
Two primary FIRs were filed—one by Ram Janmabhoomi SO Priyavada Nath Shukla (FIR 197/1992), citing the collective actions of lakhs of kar sevaks, and another by Ram Janmabhoomi SI Ganga Prasad Tiwari (FIR 198/1992), naming eight prominent leaders as instigators. A total of 49 FIRs were registered, many concerning assaults on journalists.
The subsequent legal battle lasted 28 years, involving numerous investigations, court hearings, and changes of venue. While the CBI charged several prominent leaders with inciting the demolition, the agency failed to prove a larger conspiracy. In 2020, a Lucknow CBI court acquitted 32 accused, including L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, citing lack of evidence. This decision, though controversial, stands as the final judgment due to the expiration of appeal periods.
Despite the acquittals, the case highlights the failures of the system to deliver justice for the victims and to fully account for the events of December 6, 1992. The demolition, a crime acknowledged even by the Supreme Court in its Ayodhya judgment, remains without definitive accountability for the key orchestrators. The legal proceedings, characterized by lengthy delays, multiple FIRs, and conflicting testimonies, have left many unanswered questions about the roles played by various individuals and organizations. The incident continues to serve as a reminder of the fragility of communal harmony and the need for robust mechanisms to prevent and punish such acts of violence.
First Piper 